Hidden kitchen storage from This Old House
Wasted storage space in the kitchen is frustrating. Whether it be a corner cupboard that fails to put valuable space to good use or a large cupboard with insufficient shelves, there seems to always be space that can be put to better use.
This Old House has a storage option that looks rather interesting. From their site:
A slide-out storage cube holds cookbooks in the front and a built-in spice rack in the rear. A small microwave in the cubby below is usually hidden behind the cabinet’s “flipper” doors, which open out into the room and then slide back neatly into recesses along the sides.
This is a pretty unique way for the microwave to be stored. It also puts a lot of dead space to use.
(via Apartment Therapy)
14 comments posted
Posted by Mac - 03/23/2009
Now, I’m no Julia Child. In fact when it comes to the kitchen you could probably just remove the Julia part and be more accurate. However, I would think it more appropriate to have the spices on the outside and the books on the sides. I think I’d use the spices in ad hoc recipes much more frequently than using the cookbooks saving the need to slide the bulky unit out as often.
A good use of space though.
Posted by Blair - 03/23/2009
Wow, you’d need some serious support if you’re going to be putting two shelves full of cookbooks on the end of that thing.
Posted by Beth - 03/23/2009
When I moved into my house last year, I had a pass thru from the kitchen to the family room. I was really in a stupid location (over the kitchen sink) and a weird size (more like a window then a usable pass thru) so I opted to close in the pass thru and put shelves over the sink for cookbooks.
I love the look and it has freed up valuable counter space where I would have to store my cookbooks & wine guides.
Posted by MissPrism - 03/23/2009
Why do spice racks always make all the jars the same size? Nobody uses saffron or cayenne in the same quantities as oregano or coriander.
Posted by allen - 03/23/2009
That looks pretty cool, but it seems like it requires alot of dead-space behind the wall; i’m not sure how likely that is in a kitchen, i guess?
I never like built-in spaces for microwaves like that: They limit you to a certain size of microwave forever. If, down the road, you need to replace it, how can you be sure that the models then will fit, &c.
Posted by The Modern Mom - 03/23/2009
very interesting use of space. I’m with Allen – it does look like you’d have to have a lot of space back there but if you’ve got it, it’s a great way to utilize it!
Posted by KW - 03/23/2009
I try to avoid putting a spice rack above the stove (especially), microwave, or refrigerator – these can be warm and humid locations, causing powdered spices to clump up.
Posted by AndrewL - 03/23/2009
Oh no! i forgot the oregeno! *pulls out spice rack to get the oregeno, 50 lbs of cookbooks suddenly fly off the shelf and crushes the poor family dog*
maybe if you were martha stewart, this would be a good idea.
Posted by Ran - 03/23/2009
A much more reasonable solution would be two narrower slide outs, one for the books and one for spice rack. They would carry less space and would require a simpler support system, and more importantly, they would provide much easier access to the spice rack.
Posted by Barbara Tako - 03/28/2009
Cookbooks are heavy. Spices come in varying sizes and shapes. Microwaves sizes, style, and location of the controls varies over time. I’m not sure about this one.
Posted by Sara - 03/24/2010
What about all the dead space between the spices and behind the cookbooks? This thing just seems silly.
Posted by WilliamB - 03/24/2010
Neat idea, but I agree that it should be applied to other items.
I’d use it for pots and appliances I don’t use weekly: my roommate’s special dish for making Louisiana Giblet Rice, the electric knife sharpener, the waffle maker, the emergency hot plate that can run off the generator, etc.
Posted by Jesse - 03/24/2010
I’m with everyone else here – the width of that space begs for the books to be on the sides and the spices in the front. Of course, I’m not the type of cook who has such nice-looking spice jars, nor do I reference cookbooks so often (and really – Martha Stewart wouldn’t need to reference cookbooks either, would she? Can’t she cook?) that they’d need to be in the way of my spice rack. But finally, I’d worry that my child would want some cinnamon for her hot chocolate, pull this out, and be buried under the few books we DO have.
Posted by E West - 03/25/2010
I am intrigued by the design and mirror comments above about the incredible support needed for a roll-out shelf for books. I am reminded of a pull-out access pantry from IKEA. Looks similar to this: http://www.daveycabinets.com.a.....chen_5.jpg or http://media.rd.com/rd/images/.....-32-ss.jpg
Here’s a question for the group, would this add re-sale value to the home? Would buyers be attracted by this feature? Or would it be a little to “weird” or “unconventional” for most? Thoughts?
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